Sep 23 2010
Keahole Solar Power, an independent clean energy company, has declared the signing of an accord with Hawaii’s Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, for property to build a concentrating solar energy project. The land will be utilized for the construction of its Kalaeloa Solar One 5 MW project.
The proposed project will utilize concentrating solar power technology for solar power generation. The project will install mirrored reflectors and suitable optics to increase the collection of solar energy and to improve the energy efficiency of the system. The system will utilize its installed solar panels to receive solar energy during the day period to augment the annual kWh capability. The solar thermal systems installed along with the solar panels will collect the heat energy in the incorporated storage fluids to reach steaming temperature level to produce steam and to run the turbines that are coupled to the electrical generators to produce power. Solar thermal systems can be used even during bleak periods. The proposed system will also incorporate a storage buffer for the produced thermal energy. The project is slated for completion during the third part of the year 2011.
Edward Lui, Keahole Solar Power’s Board of Director, said that the company is designing its system to contribute 30 MW of solar power to Hawaii by the year 2015. He added that though such power creation is a challenging task, the cost effective benefits of the concentrating solar power technology will ultimately benefit the users and the grid companies. Kaulana H.R. Park, Hawaiian Homes Commission’s Chairman, said that the partnership reflects the energy policies of the DHHL and its promise to clean energy technology. He praised the technology utilized in the Kalaeloa Solar One project and said that it will introduce a number of jobs for the population of the island of Oahu.